Will Joe Arpaio's "Cooperation" With the DOJ End In a Lawsuit?

Some things you can't un-see. Enjoy the rest of your day, Valley Fever-ers.

​Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio sent a letter to the Department of Justice yesterday saying he planned to cooperate with the federal government in fixing the alleged racial-profiling practices within the MCSO that the DOJ says are the worst in U.S. history.

A defiant sheriff, however, also says he "will not cower to the threat of litigation" -- the DOJ says it plans to take the sheriff to court if he fails to cooperate.

Arpaio says his cooperation is contingent on the fed's ability to "play ball" -- he's demanded the DOJ produce evidence of all the allegations it's made against the MCSO before the sheriff will consider cooperating. He's given the DOJ until January 18 to cough up the proof.

From the sound of the sheriff's letter -- which includes more whining about the DOJ's "political witch hunt," and griping about the timing of the announcement of the fed's report -- it seems like Arpaio and the feds are destined to find themselves in a courtroom, which will cost taxpayers even more community coin defending America's priciest sheriff.

We want to know what you think, though: will Arpaio's "cooperation" with the DOJ end up in a courtroom?

Cast your vote below.

<a href="http://polldaddy.com/poll/5813674/">Will Joe Arpaio's "Cooperation" With the DOJ End In a Lawsuit?</a>

btw as an aside, I was eating why the horrible picture? I think I will need to drink a gallon of tequila and then I might un-see that.. only way to make it worse would be to have a pic of Jan Brewer in there...

These people just do not quit. I was just reading in the Az Republic the old tool announced his run for the Sheriff's office. Feet first or in cuffs is the only way this corrupt politicial will be removed.

For information purposes, here's something else from the DOJ, conveyed in the Republic article.

"A confidential negotiation process will be crucial to ensuring that both parties can come to an agreement, said William Yeomans, a law professor at American University and 25-year veteran of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division.

'This is a delicate period. You don't want to negotiate in public. When the talks break down, that's when things tend to go public,' Yeomans said. 'Certainly, any kind of statement that's designed to play in the political arena can complicate this process, but ultimately, the resolution will be based on the facts. What the Sheriff's Office has actually been doing will be the basis for the resolution.' "

Statements I've read and heard by the experienced individuals from the DOJ's Civil Rights Division have been reasonable and rational. I can't help but believe that they fully understand the personality (Arpaio) that they will be negotiating with to hopefully resolve the identified problems within MCSO.....and that that "personality" is as Tommy has described.

As Clarity and Kay have indicated, Arpaio's pretense that he is clueless because the DOJ hasn't yet provided the facts behind their findings, is an insult to our intelligence. Also, on NPR this morning his right-in-line chief deputy Jack MacIntyre was likewise playing the "we just don't know whatever their facts could possibly consist of" game. DOJ officials have already said that those will be revealed to MCSO during their in-good-faith negotiations...which is the next step, after the cooperation commitment is made.Many statements and clarifications by DOJ spokespersons were included in today's extensive Arizona Republic article. For example, "The sheriff is asking for many pieces of information that would be revealed during the negotiation, Yeomans said, and it is not uncommon for police agencies to request more information.""This request, however, is extremely confrontational," Yeomans said."NPR just aired another statement by Arpaio, more toned down than the previous ones, something like, "We just want proof that the allegations are systemic," followed by NPR saying that later today Arpaio would be announcing his candidacy for re-election.

Mr. King, that poster is harsh and unusual punishment for us followers of your pennings. What have WE done to deserve such treatment, I ask?**************************************************************************************************************I will only say that we taxpayers will get what we deserve for having elected this person into office time and again.

He is demented. He is old. He is mentally ill.

He has time and again demonstrated his vile disregard for anyone or anything that doesn't travel the path he paves.

He allows his employees to yell at a press conference, 'SHUT UP, JUST SHUT UP".

He encourages his employees to make arrests that will gain him votes.

He spews mush incessantly to the public. Using uncontrolled vitriol to fan the flames of hatred and discontent toward certain classes and types of humans.

He uses puppies to gain public support. To make it appear he is a softy, when in fact he, in my opinion, is much more hardened at heart than the most hardened criminal currently behind bars.

He spews demands and conditions in front of cameras, making it appear that he makes all the rules and will follow only those he makes. He acts very much like a German dictator from the 1940s.

He is the root of a cancer that has infected many voters in Maricopa County.

If Arpaio wants evidence of all the FACTS, NOT allegations, but FACTS in that report, all he has to do is read the new times and explain away the broken limbs on those mexican women in his jails forced to sign deportation papers. And explain the very REAL dead bodies in his jail, like Marty Atencio for one.

Who the hell does he think he is? Well WE know who he is, he is Americas number 1 domestic enemy, a true tyrant and criminal terrorist against the people.

I don't believe the DOJs report mentioned anything about providing any information other than what was in the report. The report didn't say anything about his cooperation being contingent upon them supplying any kind of "Proof".

Arpaio does not quite understand the game hes playing. I can see the feds pulling the funding out of Arizona in order to put pressure on ousting Arpaio. I think that would be a fine thing to do!

Arpaio is a tyrannical terrorist. A treasonous enemy of the people of America, not just Arizona. A proven defiler of the US Constitution. A fool, a criminal, a liar and a murderer. But hey, if that's ok with the GOP and everyone else then to hell with everything.

And if it gets as hot as hell in Arizona, maybe it's because Arizona is hell and Arpaio a petty demon sent to terrorize and torture those relegated to the hell that he has forged on the blood, tears and lives of those he murders with apparent impunity through incompetence and sheer audacity.

Yes, I saw that and all the multiple comments by "Go Joe" clones. Nothing of substance.

On the DOJ matter, here's more info from the earlier Arizona Republic article:

""I'm going to tell you one thing, I'm not going to relinquish my authority to the federal government," the sheriff said Wednesday.Such statements, coupled with the sheriff's demand for information, could play a role in any settlement, Yeomans said."It certainly suggests that the (Justice) Department needs to be very insistent on doing this right," Yeomans said, including involvement of a court-appointed monitor and a detailed settlement. "By resisting for so long, the sheriff has shown that he is a very reluctant participant in this process. Any negotiated resolution has to be very specific.

the voters of the Joke should have to pay for it. Leave anyone in MC who didn't vote for the fool alone!I've said that before and I will say it again! People like YPS and other should have to pay a Sheriff Joke tax!

Arpaio already knows all the facts, he created them through his own actions. He's just trying to figure out how many of them the Fed's can prove at this point. This is good, I personally don't want him to acquiesce...I want him taken down!! Even if we through out everything else, the abuse of power, and violation of oath, in the Lovejoy case alone is so egregious that we need to end the careers of all involved. And the decision makers at the top need federal lockup. The only thing keeping Thomas and Aubuchon from singing is the fact they still believe there is a glimmer of hope they will hang on to their law licenses...once they're disbarred and facing federal indictment, it will be all over. When the ship starts going down, all the rats will be squealing and looking for a raft.

lol then why do you come across as someone that does. And how does saying that people like you who vote and support the Joke should get taxed to pay for his mistakes? what does that have to do with the Constitution?